War of words escalates between Margiotta, Barber

The president of the state NAACP is joining the war of words stemming from a letter to the editor written by former Wake County School Board chairman Ron Margiotta.

In that letter, Margiotta explains why he thinks the book should be thrown at several people arrested for interrupting a school board meeting.

NAACP leader William Barber was among those arrested at that school board meeting.

He says Margiotta needs prayer. Margiotta says those arrested need to be punished.

The chaos that erupted at a Wake County School Board meeting last year led to several arrests of people who supported the old busing for diversity plan in Wake County Schools.

"We have meetings to run and we just can't let anarchy take over our public meetings," said Margiotta.

Margiotta, who was voted out in November, is now criticizing those protesters -- calling for them to be punished. He even sent a letter to all local media.

"I think that's for a judge to decide," said Margiotta, "and it could be something as simple as community service. But have to be found guilty of committing, of obstructing public meetings."

Now, Barber is shooting back saying in a statement: "The NAACP and its allies have better things to do than respond to Mr. Margiotta's bitterness during this Christmas season. We are continuing our work to push and fight for high-quality, constitutional, well-funded diverse public education?"

Another man arrested at that meeting responded to Margiotta through Facebook but Margiotta is not moved.

"It doesn't bother me," he said. "That's political..."

The state NAACP says Margiotta has no authority over the cases of those arrested - and vows, "...We will pray for Mr. Margiotta."

The school board meets here Tuesday evening. The busing for diversity policy may no longer be an issue but the assignment plan still is.